How do I manage my apps?

PLEASE NOTE: that you will need to set up a Google account and a Play Store account before you can download or uninstall apps using the Play Store, or a Samsung account
when downloading apps from Galaxy Apps. While the steps will be the same on each device, your icons and screen may differ slightly from the illustrations below depending on your device, Operating system and theme.

Your device allows you to download and uninstall apps, which can be managed either through Galaxy Apps or the Play Store on your device. Some apps may have already been pre-loaded on to your device.

Only install known and trusted apps

For security reasons, we recommend that you download apps from a secure and trusted app store like Galaxy Apps or the Play Store on your Samsung device.

Please note that for security reasons, your Samsung device does not allow automatic download of apps from unknown sources. If you download an app that is from an unknown source, you will be prompted to allow unknown apps to be installed in your settings. If you do download an app from a third party site, ensure that it is only from a reputable and secure source.

App minimum requirements and specifications

Different apps have different minimum requirements to run. Bigger and more complex apps will usually need a higher level of operating system in order to run effectively.

If you have an older device, you will not be able to install apps that need a later operating system or other minimum specifications to work. If you try to install an app that requires a higher operating system than your device, you may not be able to install it or the app may not work effectively if you can.

Note that larger developers may offer a 'lite' version of the app for older or lower-storage devices.

Other apps may require that you have a SIM-card installed e.g. Whatsapp.

PLEASE NOTE: Most apps are developed to be run from internal storage and not from SD cards. Some developers still allow apps to be moved to an SD card, but this can result in usability issues. TIP: if you are trying to save storage space, try setting your photos and videos to save to the SD card first (or to automatically back up via Wi-Fi) before attempting to move apps.

To move an app to external storage:

1From the home screen, choose Apps
or swipe up to access your apps

2Tap Settings

3Tap Applications, Application manager
or Apps

4Select the app you want to move to the SD card. Some devices may need to select the Download tab
before selecting the app.

5Tap Storage.
If you don't see this step, skip to step 7.

6Tap Change

PLEASE NOTE: that if the change option is greyed out or not available, then this app is not able to be moved.

Please note: some apps cannot be uninstalled. For most of these, you will see an option to 'Disable' instead of uninstall. Take care when disabling apps. Some may be needed for the running of basic functions on your device. For example, if you disable the Play Store, you will no longer be able to download or update apps from the Play Store.

Please note: the Task Manager feature is available on older devices and may not be available on newer devices or operating systems.

Recent applications lets you quickly return to recently used apps. When you exit an app by pressing Home, the application is saved in its current state and will remain active in the background. When you touch Back, the application will close in its current state. Pressing either key will add the application to the list.

1From the home screen, choose the windows
icon, or the back
icon

2Tap the app you want to close or tap close all.
Some devices may need to tap and hold the application before choosing Remove from list.

Depending on your device, the last app used can be displayed first or at the bottom of the last. You can touch and swipe any app's to the left or right to dismiss it from the list.

The Task manager is a simple application that offers quick memory management. You can view and exit applications running on your device. You can uninstall applications you have downloaded. You can even free up system resources and view the amount of free space available on your device. From the Recent applications screen, touch Task manager.

Please note: that only apps that follow the Multi-Window format for Android Nougat and above can be used as part of an app pair for Galaxy Edge devices. You can also use the same app (e.g. Samsung Internet + Samsung Internet) to open to browser windows.

If you regularly use two apps at the same time, you can use the Apps edge panel to launch them together so that they show in a split screen view.

1Use your finger to slide along the screen horizontally to bring up the Edge panel handle

This function is available on the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system.

1From the home screen, choose Apps
or swipe up to access your apps

2Tap Settings

3Tap Applications, Application manager
or Apps

4Tap more
or menu,
this may appear as three dots.

5Tap Special access

6Choose which access
you would like for each application

If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.

This allows us to a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.

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